David Schweikert

While the name may be hard to spell, but the name is well known in Congressional District 5, that is David Schweikert.

David is a down to earth kind of guy with a no nonsense approach to government. He will tell you like it is, like it or not and that is one of the things I really like about the man. He doesn't sugar coat things and he make a lot of sense when he talks.

When David talks about the numbers you better listen because he knows what he is talking about. As I've been told on a number of occasion the numbers tell the story.

Congressman Schweikert and Senator Kyle recently spoke to the Arizona Chambers of Commerce earlier in the week, and it is very telling what they had to say about the state of this nation.

What I understood was that things are much worse than what we are lead to believe by our nations commander and chief right now and that we can not continue down the same road we are on without server consequences. I'm glad to hear the Washington is beginning to talk about the problems and not just give them lip service anymore.

I still feel that we have a long way to go in Washington and I would encourage your to keep in touch with the freshman congressman.

He has always taken the time to talk with me and I know he will for you also.

Immigration Around the World?

We hear a lot about immigration and the debate around it. We hear how those opposed to open borders it and those for open boarders accuse each other and name call each other. There never seems to be a solution to the problem.

The United States of America is not the only country struggling with illegal immigration. The Arizona Republic has put together a overview of what other countries are struggling with as far as immigration goes. I think it give a good prospective on immigration around the world.

One thing I did find lacking was a discussion of view of Mexico's immigration problems. I also think the piece could have shown how other countries including Mexico treat those whom they find in their countries illegally. I guess would be that the United States treats illegals pretty well, including Arizona, and the MCSO.

Read the Republics Story here.

Can KIMCO & De Rtio Partners do better with Riverview this time?

KIMCO and Marty De Rito of De Rito Partners Development, Inc think that they can knock down, tear up and rebuild with a 65 foot tall guitar and that will revitalize Mesa Riverview shopping the business district, I don’t think so.

If you remember back to 2005, KIMCO and De Rito Partners ran a big campaign to get public incentives for their project saying that it would bring jobs and tax revenues to the City of Mesa. Well as everybody know they pulled one over on the residents and the City of Mesa, didn’t achieve their goals and I think from the beginning they knew they couldn’t achieve the goals.

Mesa Riverview development has floundered and not been able to grab much traction over the years while Tempe’s market place has flourished. I wouldn’t be surprised if they will lay the blame for their failure on getting a late start on the project and having to go to a vote of the citizens.

Is Mesa Safe?

I just finished reading a book by Seth Godin called "Poke the Box" and it caused me to think. A passage from the book is as follows:

"Halloween is not safe. Something bad might happen. In fact, sooner or later, it probably will.
Flying is not safe. You and I both know a dozen or a hundred or a thousand  ways an angry person can wreak havoc.
Selling is not safe. You might (in fact you will) be rejected.
Golf is not safe. My grandfather died playing golf.
Speaking up is not safe. People might be offended.
Innovation is not safe. You'll fail. Perhaps badly.
Now that we've got that out of the way, what are you going to do about it? Hide? Crouch in a corner and work as hard as you can to fit in?
That's not safe, either.
Might as well do something that matters instead."

After reading the book it I had nagging question, is the City of Mesa playing it safe? Are the residents of Mesa playing it safe? Is the DMA playing it safe?

Is the city of Mesa crouching and hiding in the corner trying to fit in with what other cities and communities around them? If so they really aren't safe they just think they are.

Is the DMA playing it safe by not causing waves? Are they trying to please everybody by not doing anything at all? If so they really aren't safe.

Playing it safe doesn't get you anywhere. It just makes you ordinary. Neither the City of Mesa or the downtown is ordinary so lets do something that matters.

So what matters to you as a resident?

A President Who Has Made Promises!

Is this what we need more of in 2012? I certainly hope!

Hope & Change, Did We Get What We Wanted?

We have to ask ourselves, did we get the kind of HOPE and CHANGE we wanted? Are we better off today than we were in 2008?

The next election cycle is just around the corner? Who do you want to see lead this country?

Schools in Arizona?

I realize that this doesn't necessarily apply to Arizona and Mesa Public Schools however; it makes me wonder though if something similar is going on when teachers unions and other scream so loudly when schools funding is decreased.

Funding for education in Arizona they largest item in the state budget. People have to remember that about 2/3 of Arizona budget is off limits to the state legislature, thanks in part citizen initiatives and federally mandated cost.  I don't think those speaking out against education cuts really understand the dynamics of the budget process.

Secretary of the state Ken Bennett has a great budget presentation which brings to light the dynamics. I would recommend that anybody who has a chance to see it when he presents.

Utah Compact & City of Mesa, Yes or No

The Arizona Republic's editorial board yesterday wrote an opinion piece which they published. In it they referred to the City of Mesa recent Human Relations Advisory board meeting where time was given to the Utah Compact. They expressed their opinion that the time is right in Arizona for a similar compact and that the City of Mesa should lead the charge for two main reasons:

1. Law maker recently shot down 5 immigration bills in the legislature
2. Because 60 business leaders signed a letter.

They also referred to the need for more civility in the discussions, referencing Tom Horn being accosted by protesters at a press conference and the attorney general being called a liar, and a racist by La Raza supporters.

While I can agree with the editorial board on the principle that there needs to be more civility and less name calling, I don't think that it is in the best interest for the City of Mesa to endorse or appear to endorse a Utah style compact.

I attended the meeting and while waiting in line I listened to a conversation between two people. The interesting part was that neither side was listening to what the other side was saying. They were both so interested in defending their position that they couldn't see the points being made. Both sides had valid points. One side was talking about the need for compassion while the other the side was talking about the need to obey the laws of the land, both sides had valid points. Unfortunately neither side was listening to what the other was saying, they were to busy formulating their defense.

Until both sides on the immigration debate can step back and acknowledge the validity of the other sides arguments nothing is going to get accomplished. We have to agree to disagree on some points and work on the points we agree upon.

Immigration is an issue that is divisive, it is not something that pulls people together but drives a wedge. The City of Mesa should be working to bring people together as a community not dividing the community. For the City of Mesa to endorse, sign onto or show support one way or another for a Utah style compact would be for them to drive an existing wedge even deeper making the dived wider.

In reality the City of Mesa doesn't have power or authority to change the constitution of the United States and neither do to they have the power or authority to change Arizona constitution. The only thing the city has power or authority to do is take the laws already on the books, develop policy and ordinances that do not violate the law, and making the city policies and ordinances more restrictive within those confines.